Guiding apparatus for guiding the movement of a pool cleaner

ABSTRACT

A guiding apparatus ( 10 ) for guiding movement of a pool cleaner (not shown) of the kind set forth in a pool includes a fluid flow passage ( 12 ) having an inlet ( 14 ) and an outlet ( 16 ) to which portions ( 18 ) and ( 20 ) of a pool cleaner hose are connected in use and during which the hose portion ( 20 ) connected to the outlet ( 16 ) is connected to a suction side of a pump system of a swimming pool. A turbine wheel ( 22 ) is arranged to in use be driven by fluid flow through the fluid flow passage ( 12 ) into the pump system. Pivot members ( 24 ) are in use connected to each other and are operatively connected to the hose portions ( 18 ) and ( 20 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a guiding apparatus for guiding the movement of a pool cleaner.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Pool cleaners that are used to clean swimming pools pass water under suction from a head in a pool cleaner body via a hose into and through a pump system of a swimming pool. In the specification that follows such a pool cleaner will be referred to as “a pool cleaner of the kind set forth”.

The flow stream of water is cyclically interrupted in the pool cleaner body which causes a corresponding, cyclic stop—start motion in the body and in turn causes a cyclic water hammer action and a cyclic to and fro motion in the hose. The hose is at least slightly resilient in a longitudinal direction such that its end, remote from the pool cleaner body, can be fixed to a rigid connecting member of a pump system. Said stop—start motion causes a pool cleaner body to move generally along the line of the hose portion proximate the body. Various ways and means have been provided to cause the pool cleaner body to follow a random path and not a pattern such that the whole of the submerged pool surface is cleaned.

However, the Inventor has identified two problems in the kind of pool cleaner described. Firstly, the movement of the pool cleaner body is not in practice entirely random and follows a pattern which can be caused by a specific pool layout so that some portions of the submerged surface are covered excessively while other portions are neglected or not covered at all. Secondly, it does happen that a steady state condition comes about, especially when the body is in a corner of the pool, and the body gets stuck in one position.

The inventor believes that a need exists for providing an apparatus for guiding the movement of a pool cleaner so that the pool cleaner is inhibited from following a set path in a particular pool as a result of which the entire submerged surface of the pool is covered by the path traveled by the pool cleaner and which inhibits the occurrence of a steady state condition in which the pool cleaner is stationary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a guiding apparatus for guiding movement of a pool cleaner of the kind set forth in a pool, the apparatus including:

-   -   a fluid flow passage having an inlet and an outlet to which         portions of a pool cleaner hose are connected in use, during         which the hose portion connected to the outlet of the apparatus         is connected to a suction side of a pump system of a swimming         pool;     -   a turbine wheel arranged to in use be driven by fluid flow         through the fluid flow passage into the pump system;     -   first and second pivot members that are in use connected to each         other and free ends of which are operatively connected to the         hose portions connected to the in- and outlets of the apparatus;         and     -   a transmission arrangement for transmitting rotational motion of         an axle of the turbine wheel to the pivot members causing them         to pivot relative to each other, thereby pivoting the portions         of the hose connected to the in- and outlets relative to each         other.

The turbine wheel may be located in a casing having an inlet and an outlet, which outlet joins into the fluid flow passage.

During operation of the pool cleaner, fluid is drawn into the inlet of the casing under influence of a suction force exerted on the fluid flowing through the fluid flow passage by the pump system, thereby causing the turbine wheel to rotate.

The casing may extend into the fluid flow passage, thereby creating a narrowed zone in said passage. The narrowing increases the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the passage, thereby aiding fluid flow into the casing of the turbine wheel.

The transmission arrangement may include:

-   -   a gear train connected to the axle of the turbine wheel;     -   a worm drive associated with a gear of the gear train, wherein         an axle of said gear acts as a worm; and     -   a driven member arranged to be driven by a worm wheel of the         worm drive, the driven member being arranged to impart a         pivoting motion to the pivot members.

In an operative condition, the axle of the turbine wheel may be located below the fluid flow passage and the axle of the gear acting as the worm may be located above the fluid flow passage.

The driven member may be in the form of a wheel mounted on an axle of the worm wheel. The driven member may include a stub extending substantially parallel to the axle of the drive member from an operatively upper surface of the driven member. The stub may be spaced apart from the axle of the driven member.

The first and second pivot members may be in the form of first and second arms, each arm being connected to the stub and thereby to the other arm as well as being operatively connected to the portions of the pool cleaner hose connected to the in- and outlet of the fluid flow passage, respectively.

Free ends of the arms may be connected directly to the hose portions. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, sleeves are provided for encasing a section of the hose portions extending from the fluid flow passage. Free ends of the arms may be connected to brackets extending from said sleeves. The pivoting motion of the arms may cause the sleeves, and thereby the hose portions encased by the sleeves, to pivot relative to each other.

The arms may be hingedly connected to the brackets at opposing sides of the brackets. The first arm (i.e. the one connected to the bracket nearest to the inlet of the fluid flow passage) may be hingedly connected to the stub.

The second arm may include a slot having a circular central zone for receiving the stub therein, thereby connecting the arm to the stub. The stub may be held captive by the circular central zone of the slot in the second arm. The slot may extend away from said central zone in opposing directions in a flared manner.

During rotation of the driven member, the longitudinal component of such rotation is taken up by the stub whilst the lateral component of such rotation acts against the second arm, causing it to pivot. The pivoting motion of the second arm may cause a corresponding pivoting motion in the first arm and thereby in the bracket and sleeve it is connected to. The rotation of the stub and the location of the attachment of the arms to the brackets may, when the stub reaches a particular position, cause a reversal in the direction of the pivoting action of the arms.

From an aligned position, the two arms pivot toward each other in a first direction in a horizontal plane substantially parallel to the fluid surface in the swimming pool. When the stub reaches a particular position, this may cause the direction of the pivoting motion of the arms to be reversed so that the arms pivot way from each other in a second direction, passing through the in-line position and then towards each other. When the stub again reaches a particular position, the direction of the pivoting motion of the arms may be reversed so that the arms pivot way from each other in the first direction toward the aligned position, after which this cycle is repeated.

It is to be appreciated, that the apparatus is in use at least partially submerged in the fluid contained in the swimming pool, which is typically water. The sleeves may each include a perforated portion to allow water to freely flow into the sleeves.

The fluid flow passage, turbine wheel, pivot members, and transmission arrangement may be enclosed by a flexible sleeve that forms a continuous surface with the sleeves located at either end of the fluid flow passage, thereby protecting the moving parts of the apparatus and rendering it aesthetically pleasing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described by way of the following, non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1 to 3 show plan views of a guiding apparatus for guiding movement of a pool cleaner of the kind set forth in accordance of the invention with the pivot members of the apparatus in various orientations relative to each other;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded three-dimensional view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3.

FIG. 5 shows a three-dimensional view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 6 shows a three dimensional view of the fluid flow passage, turbine wheel, pivot members, and a portion of the transmission arrangement of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3; and

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of a portion of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3 in which the fluid flow passage, turbine wheel, pivot members, and transmission arrangement are enclosed by a flexible sleeve.

In the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a guiding apparatus for guiding the movement of a pool cleaner of the kind set forth in accordance with the present invention.

A guiding apparatus 10 for guiding movement of a pool cleaner (not shown) of the kind set forth in a pool includes a fluid flow passage 12 having an inlet 14 and an outlet 16 to which portions 18 and 20 of a pool cleaner hose are connected in use and during which the hose portion 20 connected to the outlet 16 is connected to a suction side of a pump system of a swimming pool.

A turbine wheel 22 is arranged to in use be driven by fluid flow through the fluid flow passage 12 into the pump system.

Pivot members 24 are in use connected to each other and are operatively connected to the hose portions 18 and 20.

A transmission arrangement 26 is provided for transmitting rotational motion of an axle 28 of the turbine wheel 22 to the pivot members 24 causing them to pivot relative to each other, thereby pivoting the portions of the hose 18 and 20 connected relative to each other.

The turbine wheel 22 is located in a casing 30 having an inlet 32 and an outlet 34, which outlet 34 joins into the fluid flow passage 12.

During operation of the pool cleaner, fluid is drawn into the inlet 32 of the casing 30 under influence of a suction force exerted on the fluid flowing through the fluid flow passage 12 by the pump system as indicated by arrow 36 in FIG. 6, thereby causing the turbine wheel 22 to rotate.

In the embodiment shown, the casing 30 extends into the fluid flow passage 12, thereby creating a narrowed zone in said passage 12. The narrowing increases the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the passage 12, thereby aiding fluid flow into inlet 32.

The transmission arrangement 26 includes a gear train 38 connected to the axle 28 of the turbine 22, a worm drive 40 associated with a gear 42 of the gear train 38, wherein an axle 44 of said gear 42 acts as a worm and a driven member 46 arranged to be driven by a worm wheel 48 of the worm drive 40, the driven member 46 being arranged to impart a pivoting motion to the pivot members 24.

In an operative condition, the axle 28 of the turbine wheel 22 is located below the fluid flow passage 12 and the axle 44 of the gear 42 acting as the worm is located above the fluid flow passage 12.

The driven member 46 is in the form of a wheel mounted on an axle of the worm wheel 48. The driven member 46 includes a stub 50 extending substantially parallel to the axle of the drive member 46 from an operatively upper surface of the driven member 46. The stub 50 is spaced apart from the axle of the driven member 46.

The pivot members 24 are in the form of first and second arms 52 and 54, each arm 52, 54 being connected to the stub 50 as well as being operatively connected to the portions 18 and 20 of the pool cleaner hose connected to the in- and outlet 14 and 16 of the fluid flow passage 12, respectively.

Sleeves 56 and 58 are provided for encasing a section of the hose portions 18 and 20 extending from the fluid flow passage 12. Free ends of the arms 52, 54 are connected to brackets 60 and 62 extending from said sleeves 56, 58. The pivoting motion of the arms 52, 54 cause the sleeves 56, 58, and thereby the hose portions 18 and 20 encased by the sleeves 56, 58, to pivot relative to each other.

The arms 52, 54 are hingedly connected to the brackets 60, 62 at opposing sides of the brackets 60,62. The first arm 52 is hingedly connected to the stub 50. The second arm 54 includes a slot 64 having a circular central zone (not visible on drawings) for receiving the stub 50 therein, thereby connecting the arm 54 to the stub 50. The stub 50 is held captive by the circular central zone of the slot 64. The slot 64 extends away from said central zone in opposing directions in a flared manner.

During rotation of the driven member 46, the longitudinal component of such rotation is taken up by the stub 50 whilst the lateral component of such rotation acts against the second arm 54, causing it to pivot. The pivoting motion of the second arm 54 causes a corresponding pivoting motion in the first arm 52 and thereby in the bracket 60 and sleeve 56 it is connected to. The rotation of the stub 50 and the location of the attachment of the arms 52,54 to the brackets 60,62, causes a reversal in the direction of the pivoting action of the arms 52, 54 when the stub 50 reaches a particular position.

From an aligned position, the two arms 52, 54 pivot toward each other in a first direction in a horizontal plane substantially parallel to the fluid surface in the swimming pool. When the stub 50 reaches a particular position, this causes the direction of the pivoting motion of the arms 52, 54 to be reversed so that the arms 52, 54 pivot way from each other in a second direction, passing through the in-line position and then towards each other. When the stub 50 again reaches a particular position, the direction of the pivoting motion of the arms 52, 54 is reversed so that the arms 52, 54 pivot way from each other in the first direction toward the aligned position, after which this cycle is repeated.

In the event of the apparatus 10 experiencing an impact such as, for example, if a child accidentally bumps against the hose of the swimming pool cleaner, the impact causes the stub 50 to move out of the central zone of the slot 64 and into either of the flared portions, thereby inhibiting damage to the apparatus. The arm 54 must then be manually manipulated into a position where the stub 50 is held captive by the central circular zone of the slot 64.

It is to be appreciated, that the apparatus 10 is in use as least partially submerged in the fluid contained in the swimming pool, which is typically water. The sleeves 56, 58 each include a perforated portion 66 to allow water to freely flow into the sleeves 56, 58.

The fluid flow passage 12, turbine wheel 22, pivot members 24, and transmission arrangement 26 are enclosed by a flexible sleeve 68 that forms a continuous surface with the sleeves 56, 58 as shown in FIG. 7, thereby protecting the moving parts of the apparatus 10 and rendering it aesthetically pleasing. Clips 70 are provided on the brackets 60, 62 for assisting in retaining the hose portions 18, 20 in connection with the inlet 14 and outlet 18 of the fluid flow passage 12.

It is to be appreciated, that the invention is not limited to any particular embodiment or configuration as hereinbefore generally described or illustrated. 

1-19. (canceled)
 20. A guiding apparatus for guiding movement of a pool cleaner of the kind set forth in a pool, the apparatus including: a fluid flow passage having an inlet and an outlet to which portions of a pool cleaner hose are connected in use, during which the hose portion connected to the outlet of the apparatus is connected to a suction side of a pump system of a swimming pool; a turbine wheel arranged to in use be driven by fluid flow through the fluid flow passage into the pump system; first and second pivot members that are in use connected to each other and free ends of which are operatively connected to the hose portions connected to the in- and outlets of the apparatus; and a transmission arrangement for transmitting rotational motion of an axle of the turbine wheel to the pivot members causing them to pivot relative to each other, thereby pivoting the portions of the hose connected to the in- and outlets relative to each other.
 21. A guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the turbine wheel is located in a casing having an inlet and an outlet, which outlet joins into the fluid flow passage so that during operation of the pool cleaner, fluid is drawn into the inlet of the casing under influence of a suction force exerted on the fluid flowing through the fluid flow passage by the pump system, thereby causing the turbine wheel to rotate.
 22. A guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the casing extends into the fluid flow passage, thereby creating a narrowed zone in said passage.
 23. A guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the transmission arrangement includes: a gear train connected to the axle of the turbine wheel; a worm drive associated with a gear of the gear train, wherein an axle of said gear acts as a worm; and a driven member arranged to be driven by a worm wheel of the worm drive, the driven member being arranged to impart a pivoting motion to the pivot members.
 24. A guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein, in an operative condition, the axle of the turbine wheel is located below the fluid flow passage and the axle of the gear acting as the worm is located above the fluid flow passage.
 25. A guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the driven member is in the form of a wheel mounted on an axle of the worm wheel.
 26. A guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the driven member includes a stub extending substantially parallel to the axle of the drive member from an operatively upper surface of the driven member.
 27. A guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the stub is spaced apart from the axle of the driven member.
 28. A guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the first and second pivot members are in the form of first and second arms, each arm being connected to the stub and thereby to the other arm as well as being operatively connected to the portions of the pool cleaner hose connected to the in- and outlet of the fluid flow passage, respectively.
 29. A guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein sleeves are provided for encasing a section of the hose portions extending from the fluid flow passage and wherein free ends of the arms are connected to brackets extending from said sleeves.
 30. A guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the arms are hingedly connected to the brackets at opposing sides of the brackets.
 31. A guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein the first arm is hingedly connected to the stub.
 32. A guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein the second arm includes a slot having a circular central zone for receiving the stub therein, thereby connecting the arm to the stub and holding the stub captive in the central zone.
 33. A guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 32, wherein the slot extends away from said central zone in opposing directions in a flared manner.
 34. A guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein, in use, the apparatus is at least partially submerged in the fluid contained in the swimming pool.
 35. A guiding apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the fluid flow passage, turbine wheel, pivot members, and transmission arrangement are enclosed by a flexible sleeve that forms a continuous surface with the sleeves located at either end of the fluid flow passage, thereby protecting the moving parts of the apparatus and rendering it aesthetically pleasing. 